November 29th

I decided to teach myself how to knit continental-style today. I've got the knits down, but I think I'm twisting my purl stitches. Maybe I'm wrapping the yarn the wrong way... I'm using the videos at KnittingHelp.com to guide me along.

Let's focus on the good! The strangest thing is getting my left hand to get used to performing fine motor-functions. This can only be a good thing, I'm sure. I notice my little finger doesn't get much exercise when typing, so perhaps knitting while allow it to join the ranks of useful fingers. I'm hoping that getting this figured out will lead the way to some fair isle work. I don't think I'll get the "reindeer in a tutu" sweater done this year, though.

The weather in Juárez has suddently turned very cold. While fumbling through the box of winter clothes, I realized that I have no scarves for myself; I gave them all away. No one ever told me it occasionally snows in the Chihuahuan Desert.

I've been going through my stitch dictionary to find something with an interested texture. I have been eyeing the staggard brioche rib, but I do love a moss stitch scarf (pictured left).

I've never knitted the staggared brioche rib before, but it certainly looks nice in pictures. When I knit up a swatch, I'll post a picture because I can't find one online to share.

In addition to something nice looking and warm, this scarf will also be the project I force myself to knit entirely continental style. I hope I speed up soon or I'm going to be a cold boy for awhile. I also want an ear hat with flaps, something like this one, but I'm still searching through patterns to hack up. I'm thinking of throwing in a motif or mosaic pattern to spice it up.

What I'd really like is for my knitting fairy to appear and make this all by morning... Brr!

I think that one of the things that I like about kniting is the time it takes me to do certain things. Patience is required to come up with the design and colors for such a simple item as a scarf. Here is the progress so far. I like long scarfs and this one looks like it may be one of those.

November 26th

I've changed the way the members list is displayed. It's now done in a columned, tabular format allowing you to sort by several criteria. While certainly more attractive, I thought it might help folks find other nearby knitters via the sorting ability. Enjoy!

In an effort to make it easier for you to add images to your posts as well as share other images you might have, but not necessarily want to write a lot about, I've added a new feature to the site.

If you look under the Create Content menu, you'll see a new option labeled "image" which you can use to add an image to the new image gallery, which is linked from the main menu. I've created a few categories to get us started, but if an image you have doesn't fit, simply put it in the uncategorized section and I'll create a good place for it and move it there.

Once you've uploaded an image, you can also add it in to one of your posts. To do this, simply browse the image gallery to find your image. Once located, right-click on it and copy the link to that particular image. When writing your post using the WYSIWYG editor, there's a little icon in the toolbar with a tree. Clicking that will pop-up a box for you to paste the image link in to.

A number of you have written me in the last couple of months expressing your gratitude and asking about how you can help support the site.

Firstly, the best way to support the site is to keep coming back and interacting with us. Without an active user base, this site would lose its purpose. In the last year, we've grown significantly both in numbers and talent and I hope you've all made as many new friends through the site as I have. What we've created here together is unique and very special.

While I do have a few ideas up my sleeve that are coming soon, in the meantime you can help out with the costs by shopping through the affiliate links on the sidebar or on this page. If you shop regularly at a particular site and they have an affiliate program, let me know and I'll try to join. I've been waiting weeks for applications to the programs of several yarn stores, but haven't yet received a response.

November 25th

Just wanted to know what experiences people have had getting onto a plane with their knitting. I have heard that wooden needles are okay but the metal ones are not. I would hate to get to a gate and have them say I can't take it on. Thanks!

November 23rd

Before I was a college-dropout, I was a linguistics major and find great delight in regional variations in language. While making flash cards for one of English students, I realized that the past tense of knit can either be knit or knitted.

I was wondering if you good people would indulge me and reply back whether you "knit a scarf yesterday" or if you "knitted a scarf yesterday" and where you're from.

Here's how I conjugate it in the past tense:

I knit a scarf yesterday.You knit a scarf yesterday.He/She knitted a scarf yesterday.

Greetings from the land of NASCAR and barbecue wars. I'm a librarian in North Carolina who's trying to start a knitting group for teens. The girls are responding but the guys are slow to buy in. I'm posting a flyer with "Man Enough To Knit Strong Enough To Purl" and photos of men of various ages knitting, but I could use some suggestions. I'm over 50. Any ideas on what might appeal to the younger crowd? Thanks in advance for your insights.

November 22nd

Um, well I have started a new project which really is just a scarf but working with a different textured yarn which is the new part. I also just bought more needles, a pattern and yarn for another project and i have some other yarn for another project that I am thinking about. Starting to get piles of knitting things. Is this a disease I have caught??

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xtophercb: had to give up on knittinghelp.com ... too much anti-guy teasing that was becoming outright disdain. too bad, it actually lived up to its name and was very helpful for a time.4 weeks 4 days ago

buddha: Any knitting guy on Maui?15 weeks 1 day ago

Joe-in Wyoming: I hope you all have a Blessed weekend. Shalom to my friends who observe Passover and Happy Easter to those celebrate. Everyone else, just because you are you.17 weeks 3 days ago

buddha: anybody help me find a pattern for a tee shirt. 2Xl or 3 XL. Too hot here for a sweater and I've got this great cotton yarn ready to work with??19 weeks 5 days ago

CLABBERS: Everyone being affected by this latest snow storm, be careful. Stay in and knit!22 weeks 21 hours ago

Joe-in Wyoming: Happy Lunar New Year, everybody. Today begins the Year of the Sheep/Goat.23 weeks 3 days ago

michaelpthompson: I sure hope to go. I have been to two of them, and it's an excellent time.23 weeks 6 days ago

Joe-in Wyoming: I've been lucky enough to have attended every RMMKR and plan to go to this year's event.24 weeks 6 days ago